Corcoran Pond Dam dam
Corcoran Pond Dam
Corcoran Pond Dam, also known as Snows Brook Dam, is a crucial water resource in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, serving primarily for recreational purposes. This earth dam, completed in 1976, stands at a height of 16.5 feet and spans 253 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 40.8 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 20.8 acre-feet, the dam controls the flow of Snows Brook, a tributary with a drainage area of 2.81 square miles.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 36 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for the discharge of up to 3057 cubic feet per second. Despite being rated with a high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition as of its last assessment in May 2017, with a moderate risk level. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau and is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement. While no emergency action plan has been reported, the dam's emergency preparedness and risk management measures remain unspecified.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Corcoran Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and safety. Its location in the scenic Grafton County, New Hampshire, along with its recreational significance, highlights the importance of balancing environmental conservation with public enjoyment. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the role of dams like Corcoran Pond in water management and risk mitigation becomes increasingly vital for sustainable development and resilience in the face of evolving climate challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Corcoran Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pemigewasset River At Woodstock | 687 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pemigewasset River At Lincoln | 465 cfs | → |
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 198 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Plymouth | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Baker River Near Rumney | 367 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Corcoran Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Mirror Lake Boat Launch
- Berry Pond Boat Launch
- Lees Pond Boat Launch
- Squam Lake Public Boat Launch
- Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Launch
- Stinson Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Waterville
- Waterville Campground
- Osceola Vista Campground/Group Campground
- Osceola Vista Campground
- Flat Mountain Pond Shelter
- Camp Rich Tentsite
Paddle runs
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
Track Corcoran Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Corcoran Pond Dam
Where does the data for Corcoran Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Corcoran Pond Dam.